教育专业的悉尼·弗兰克最大的灵感来自她最好的朋友, who happens to be her little brother.
By: Marissa Carney
西德尼·弗兰克是你能遇到的最热情的人之一. That gusto extends to everything in her life, from college and classes, to volunteering, her part-time job, and her family. 在她努力实现职业目标的过程中,这一点对她很有帮助.
Frank is in her last semester at Penn State Altoona, studying elementary and early education with a minor in special education. She says she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, 但她对残疾儿童工作的热情要归功于她的弟弟, Carson.
Best buddies since birth: Sydney and Carson Frank
Credit: Sydney Frank
“From the day he was born, we immediately had this special bond, and we always did everything together.”
As a toddler, Carson was diagnosed with autism. 这可能会使兄弟姐妹的关系更加牢固. With every activity his parents engaged him in, his big sister was right there with him, participating or cheering him on.
Sydney and Carson Frank at an Athletes Helping Athletes event
Credit: Sydney Frank
Over the last eighteen years, 悉尼曾给卡森的一些小学班级读过书,并观看他参加特奥会. 她和他一起参加了许多十大网投平台信誉排行榜阿尔图纳分校的“感性努力儿童学院”夏令营, 一个针对自闭症谱系障碍儿童的特殊暑期项目. 她看着他通过“梦想继续”组织的骑马治疗而茁壮成长,并成为欢乐谷海狸队的一员, 为有认知障碍或发育障碍的人而设的曲棍球队. Together, they take part in recreation activities with Arc of Blair County, 一个为任何形式的发展延迟的个人提供服务的组织. 最近,兄妹俩正在参加阿尔图纳社区剧院的《 Annie Jr.该项目将残疾儿童与导师配对,表演一场改编自音乐剧的演出.
“我喜欢和卡森一起做事的一个原因是,我喜欢看到他做自己喜欢的事情时脸上的喜悦. It really touches my heart to see him smiling and having fun. 这些都是我从他的角度看问题的好机会.”
Sydney and Carson at Carson’s high school graduation
Credit: Sydney Frank
西德尼也见证了卡森在主流学校的成长, special education, and life skills classes, feeding her passion for the profession.
“It's always been my dream to work with kids with disabilities, 但看到职业生涯的不同方面真的让我大开眼界——这不仅仅是一件笼统的事情. All his teachers were so wonderful to him, 我的主要愿望之一就是像那些在卡森的教育过程中帮助过他的人一样.”